Posted 3/16/07 |
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| NAME: | Garlic (Allium sativum) |
 Allium sativum |
| DESCRIPTION: | Garlic is a perennial plant in the family Alliaceae and genus Allium, closely related to the onion, shallot, and leek, and has been used throughout all of recorded history for both culinary and medicinal purposes. | |
| FUNCTION: | Garlic is used by many to lower "total" and LDL ("bad") cholesterol, help prevent atherosclerosis (plaque buildup in the arteries that can possibly lead to heart attack or stroke), improve high blood pressure, and reduce colds and bronchitis.
It also acts as a mild blood-thinner, an antioxidant, antifungal, and an immune-system booster. Garlic contains the antioxidant components gingerol, zingerone and shogaol compounds (which are destroyed when cooked). |
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| SOURCES: | Garlic supplements come in many forms: whole fresh garlic, fresh or dried garlic cloves, garlic powder made from the dried cloves, freeze-dried garlic, or oil garlic extracts. Garlic that has been exposed to heat during processing (as in "aged" garlic products, which are fermented) will lose some of its curative properties. | |
| DOSAGE: | If taking capsules or tablets of freeze-dried garlic (standardized to 1.3% alliin or 0.6% allicin), University of Maryland's Center for Integrative Medicine suggests 600 to 900 mg daily.
High dose garlic (between 5 and 7.5 grams per day) is suggested for anyone who is interested in a broad range of anti-bacterial/fungal/viral activity. |
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| DATA: | Some studies suggest an ability to improve immune function: In a German study among 10 people with AIDS, it improved CD4/CD8 ratios, and normalized low natural killer cell (NK) activity. Partial symptom resolution was also reported (e.g. cryptosporidial diarrhea, recurring genital herpes and aggressive candidiasis).
In test tube studies, garlic extracts inhibit many microbes that commonly cause opportunistic infections in AIDS, including cytomegalovirus (CMV), herpes simplex 1 and 2, staph infections, salmonella, parasites, TB, Entamoeba, histoplasmosis, and Mycobacterium avium. |
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| CAUTIONS: | Garlic is listed as Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the United States.
Bad breath, body odor, and allergic reactions are the most common reported side effects of garlic. Because of its blood-thinning properties, garlic is not recommended for: those with hemophilia or platelet disorders, those about to undergo surgery, or those taking any blood thinners. |
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| FOR MORE INFORMATION: |
University of Maryland's Center for Integrative Medicine's entry on garlic. | |
| RELATED PRODUCTS: |
Allicin Garlic Extract (Zhang/Tai He) Each bottle, 30 or 60 capsules. Each capsule 130 mg of a proprietary extract of garlic bulb.
Garlicin Pro (MMS Pro) Each bottle, 100 tablets. Each tablet contains 350 mg of garlic powder from the bulb. |
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| DISCLAIMER: | These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. | |
